Spezza no longer has goaltender's number

Wed, July 7, 2004
By BRUCE GARRIOCH
Ottawa Sun

Jason Spezza didn't have to think twice. The Senators centre, who has worn the No. 39 for the last two seasons, had no problem handing it over to newly acquired goaltender Dominik Hasek during a brief ceremony yesterday at the Corel Centre. As reported by the Sun, Spezza will wear No. 19.

"The guy is going to be a hall of famer. That's a number he's been wearing his whole career and it means a lot to him," said Spezza. "I don't mind wearing No. 19. That's fine with me. I always liked Steve Yzerman as a kid growing up.

"Let's face it, it's not the number that makes the player, it's what the player does with the number on his back that makes the player. This wasn't that big a deal for me. I just think it's great to have a guy like Dominik Hasek with our team."

The Senators will welcome Hasek to the dressing room with open arms. While the players were sorry to see goalie Patrick Lalime traded to St. Louis, Hasek comes with an impressive track record and he wants to make up for what happened last year with Detroit.

"Maybe if he's playing with a bit of a chip on his shoulder that's a good thing," said centre Todd White. "(Hasek) thinks he was disappointed with the way things ended last year ... well how does he think we felt? We weren't happy with the way our year ended either. Maybe we have something in common.

"He wants to prove people wrong and he wants to go out there and get the job done. As a team, we're in the same position. The bottom line is we want to a win a Cup and so does he."

Photo Credit: A. Ringuette/Freestyle Photography/OSHC

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